Modern Slavery Statement — Gardening Services Southwark

Gardening Services Southwark (also referenced as GSS and Gardening Services in Southwark) affirms a clear and uncompromising stance against modern slavery, human trafficking and forced labour. This statement outlines our approach to prevention, detection and remediation within our operations and supply chain, reflecting our commitment to ethical labour practices and community responsibility across Southwark gardening services.

We operate a zero-tolerance policy for any form of modern slavery, exploitation or coercion. Our policy is embedded within employment contracts and supplier terms; we expect every contractor, subcontractor and partner to meet these standards. All staff receive information about their rights and protections and are trained to recognise indicators of slavery through regular learning modules and team briefings.

This statement applies to all employees, temporary workers, volunteers and suppliers engaged by Gardening Services Southwark. We require due diligence on recruitment practices, wage compliance and working conditions and we actively avoid reliance on informal labour channels. As part of our operational controls we maintain documented procedures for vetting labour providers and we record oversight actions taken during every contract lifecycle.

Supplier Audits, Vetting and Responsible Procurement

Our supplier management framework includes periodic supplier audits and verification checks. We prioritise suppliers who demonstrate transparent payroll records, lawful right-to-work checks and ethical recruitment practices. Where necessary we deploy third-party auditors to perform on-site inspections and review employment records, prevention measures and worker interviews.

GSS expects suppliers to implement continuous improvement plans that address any audit findings. Key elements of our supplier assurance include:

• Written supplier codes of conduct aligned with our anti-slavery commitments
• Risk-based audit schedules and corrective action tracking
• Contract clauses enabling remediation and termination for non-compliance

Audits are documented, results are analysed centrally and repeat non-compliance triggers escalation. We use a risk-rating model that factors geography, sector, contract type and worker vulnerability. Where illicit practices are suspected we suspend procurement activities until investigations conclude and remedial steps are verified.

Reporting Channels and Whistleblowing

Gardening Services Southwark provides multiple secure reporting channels so workers, partners and the public can raise concerns. Reports may be made through internal hotlines, dedicated email reporting to our compliance team, or via anonymous third-party reporting platforms. We ensure confidentiality and protect whistleblowers from retaliation; reports are acknowledged and triaged within a defined timeframe.

All allegations are investigated promptly with documented outcomes. Investigations may involve site visits, interviews with affected individuals and liaison with legal advisors. Where appropriate, we work with local authorities and NGOs to ensure victims receive immediate support, safe accommodation and access to justice. Remediation focuses on restoring rights, compensation where due and preventing recurrence.

Training and awareness programmes are mandatory for staff and contractors. We provide role-specific sessions, induction materials and refresher courses to ensure that everyone involved with Southwark gardening services recognises modern slavery risks and knows how to respond. Regular communication reinforces our expectations and the importance of reporting.

Our governance arrangements assign clear responsibilities: senior leadership sponsors our anti-slavery work, the compliance team manages implementation and local managers ensure day-to-day adherence. We engage workers, trade bodies and community partners to strengthen worker voice and resilience. Expectations for subcontractors are explicit and monitored through contractual terms and performance reviews.

Where non-compliance is confirmed, Gardening Services Southwark will take decisive action including contract termination, restitution to victims and remedial improvement plans. We support lawful pathways for affected workers and collaborate with enforcement bodies when criminal conduct is involved. Our approach balances prevention, protection and proportionate enforcement.

Annual Review and Continuous Improvement — This statement is reviewed at least annually to reflect changes in our business, emerging risks and lessons learned from investigations and audits. The annual review evaluates the effectiveness of our zero-tolerance policy, supplier audits, reporting channels and training programmes and sets clear improvement targets for the following year. Gardening Services Southwark remains committed to evolving our practice to eradicate modern slavery from our operations and supply chain.